Pressure wave gas generator

Abstract

A gas generator comprising a pressure vessel containing a gas under a first predetermined pressure. An initiator housing closes one end of the pressure vessel and has an opening at the inner end thereof that is closed by an initiator rupture disk constructed to rupture at a second predetermined pressure in the initiator housing greater than the first predetermined pressure. A micro-gas generator or initiator is disposed within the initiator housing. A manifold closes the other end of the pressure vessel and has an opening at the inner end thereof closed by a manifold rupture disk constructed to rupture at a third predetermined pressure greater than the first predetermined pressure. Upon the firing of the micro-gas generator or initiator, the gas pressure in the initiator housing increases to or exceeds the second predetermined pressure to rupture the initiator rupture disk and create a pressure wave that travels through the pressure vessel to create a localized pressure at the manifold rupture disk that equals or exceeds the third predetermined pressure to rupture the manifold rupture disk and allow flow of cool pressurized gas through the manifold before the gas in the pressure vessel is significantly heated and pressurized by the gas flow from the initiator housing.

1. A method of generating gas for a device to be inflated or pressurized, comprising:
 providing a pressure vessel containing a gas under a first predetermined pressure; 
 providing an initiator housing closing one end of said pressure vessel and having an opening at the inner end thereof closed by an initiator rupture disk constructed to rupture at a second predetermined pressure in said initiator housing greater than said first predetermined pressure; 
 said second predetermined pressure being sufficient to create a pressure wave that travels through said pressure vessel; 
 providing a micro-gas generator or initiator within said initiator housing; 
 providing a manifold closing the other end of said pressure vessel, said manifold having an opening at the inner end thereof closed by a manifold rupture disk constructed to rupture at a third predetermined pressure greater than said first predetermined pressure, said manifold rupture disk being directly exposed to the interior of said pressure vessel in the path of said pressure wave; and 
 firing said micro-gas generator or initiator to increase the gas pressure in said initiator housing to a value equal to or exceeding said second predetermined pressure to rupture said initiator rupture disk and create said pressure wave that travels through said pressure vessel to impinge on said manifold rupture disk and create a localized pressure at said manifold rupture disk that equals or exceeds said third predetermined pressure to rupture said manifold rupture disk and allow flow of gas through said manifold before the gas in said pressure vessel is significantly heated and pressurized by the gas flow from said initiator housing; 
 
       wherein the flow of gas through said manifold upon rupture of said manifold rupture disk is at a temperature of less than approximately 21° C.